Titan submersible wreckage images released amid ongoing investigations
Photos reveal rusting Titan sub on ocean floor after deadly implosion
Images of the Titan submersible wreckage, which claimed five lives last year during a descent to the Titanic ruins, have been released. The photos, released as investigations continue with more interviews scheduled through Friday, show the rusting outer casings of the submersible on the ocean floor. The US Coast Guard added numbers to these images to indicate their original positions on the sub. A close-up of one section highlights its vulnerabilities and the aftermath of the deadly implosion.
These images complement a previously released video by the Coast Guard, showing a large piece of the submersible intact, surrounded by scattered wires. The release follows the testimony of Dr. Don Kramer, a National Transportation Safety Board engineer, regarding the vessel’s safety.
Earlier this week, a friend of OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush told the panel that Rush was aware of the likely fatal risks associated with the mission. Karl Stanley recounted his 2019 expedition with Rush on Titan, where he heard an ominous cracking sound while submerged. Stanley recalled Rush telling them to be prepared for noises, noting that Rush had recently done a solo dive and had warned them about the sounds.
Newly released photos of the #titansub wreckage on the ocean floor. These present a different angle of the separated pieces of the submersible that we have not seen before. @Live5News pic.twitter.com/5QcUxjiOpW
— Emily Johnson | Live 5 News (@EmilyJohnsonTV) September 25, 2024
Stanley expressed grave concerns, noting many “red flags.” He pointed out Rush’s reluctance to launch the sub into deeper waters as a sign of his lack of confidence in the vessel. Stanley also observed that Rush rarely took the helm himself.
Stanley’s account resonates with statements he made to 60 Minutes Australia. He declared that Rush knew the mission would end tragically, stating, “He literally and figuratively went out with the biggest bang in human history that you can go out with.”
The US Coast Guard also heard testimonies defending the company, with some insisting the incident was an accident. On Tuesday, OceanGate’s director of administration, Amber Bay, defended the firm against suggestions of “desperation” to complete missions. Bay refuted claims that the company overlooked safety measures to expedite missions, stating they would never conduct risky dives just to meet a need.
An NTSB chief engineer explained during Wednesday’s Coast Guard what his team discovered after recovering debris pieces from the imploded Titan on day 7 of #TitanMBI
Below is a released photo from the debris field ⬇️#chsnews #OceanGate @WCBD pic.twitter.com/iE7QjXo9ir
— Jameson Moyer (@jmoyerwcbd) September 25, 2024
A spokesperson for Saga said there was an urgency to deliver on their promises and a dedication towards that goal. During a moving testimony, she spoke about the tragedy, saying she knew the explorers who were lost and thinks of them and their families daily.
Investigators have also heard from former employees and OceanGate’s other co-founder, Guillermo Sohnlein. Sohnlein explained that the sub was constructed using less robust materials to align with OceanGate’s vision of building a fleet of submarines for underwater archaeological sites.
What Other Media Are Saying
- India Today reports on the ill-fated Titan submersible, revealing its first photo and a chilling three-word message before implosion, highlighting crew safety concerns and OceanGate’s design scrutiny. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the Titan submersible?
The Titan submersible imploded last year during a descent to the Titanic ruins, tragically killing all five on board.
What do the new photos of the Titan submersible show?
The photos show the rusting outer casings of the submersible on the ocean floor, marked by the US Coast Guard.
What did Karl Stanley testify about the Titan submersible?
Karl Stanley testified that Stockton Rush was aware of the fatal risks and noted red flags during a 2019 expedition.
What is OceanGate’s stance on the safety measures taken?
OceanGate’s director of administration defended the firm, stating they never conducted risky dives just to meet a need.
Why was the Titan submersible constructed with less robust materials?
Co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein explained it aligned with OceanGate’s vision to build a fleet of submarines for underwater archaeological sites.
